A native daughter will soon return home, twice as talented and just as eclectic.Through the month of June the creative, varied works of Hilka (West) Zimmerman will be on display at the K.K. Berge Gallery. An opening reception, at which time the artist will be in attendance, will be held Friday, June 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.. She will also be on site Saturday, June 22 from 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.

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Granite Falls Advocate Tribune

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Posted Jun. 13, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Updated Jun 13, 2013 at 2:44 PM

Posted Jun. 13, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Updated Jun 13, 2013 at 2:44 PM

A native daughter will soon return home, twice as talented and just as eclectic.

Through the month of June the creative, varied works of Hilka (West) Zimmerman will be on display at the K.K. Berge Gallery. An opening reception, at which time the artist will be in attendance, will be held Friday, June 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.. She will also be on site Saturday, June 22 from 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Zimmerman's draw to professional photography and painting came later in life. And yet, she always had a creative flair, be it for poetry, drawing, painting or photography. She began her photography career at the age of 9, where she was a member of the local 4-H club and won a few blue ribbons. From then on, she was the proverbial, "hooked."

It wasn't until she moved to Arkansas in 2001 that she began to delve into her creative side more seriously. At present, Zimmerman runs a photography business (Shutter & Easel – Images by Hilka) that specializes in candid, natural light, and location shoot photography.

Often, Zimmerman will just "hit the road" to photograph what she discovers just around the bend. When painting, she works in various mediums (oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media). She says she has no desire to work in one medium or style and it is this eclectic nature that has drawn much attention from others. By changing things up, her work is always a discovery, always exciting and fresh. She has completed over a dozen commissioned paintings in just the past few years, but is always looking forward to that next new challenge.

Her works are inspired by her love for her native Minnesota. She has enjoyed incorporating some of her favorite childhood spots from her hometown into her paintings and photographs. She is currently working on a complete series of Gnome paintings, and hopes to complete them by the end of 2013.

When Zimmerman's not painting or taking photos, chances are that you'll find her flea marketing. She enjoys refurbishing furniture, finding lost treasures and locating quirky, florid items to decorate her home and use as photography props.

Zimmerman has three children, two of whom have already left the "nest." She currently resides in Arkansas with her husband and son.